Maine Maritime Academy

My father was born on a sailing ship, a 3rd generation mariner and lived on it for many years, and then went to sea as a merchant marine officer, who joined the naval reserve in 1938. When Pearl harbor occurred, he was called up. He would teach Naval science at Kings Point and at naval school in Mississippi. He was then transferred to the USS Rockaway as navigator and spent time in the Atlantic area. He was then sent to the USS Lesuth in the south seas region. He was XO and would do piloting throughout the islands. He handled battle ships and carriers. Spending 2 years in the area. Then he was given the command of the USS Gordonia, again going to the pacific islands and Japan. At the end of the war he was still out there. Ironically, on December 7, 1945 he was relieved of duty and stayed many more years in the Naval reserve. The thing that stands out for me, is on August 10, 1945, he wrote, this is now, my fourth birthday at war! That in its self is worthy of acknowledgement. He was for sure, one of our greatest generation.